Cold Shooting Skyforce Have Win Streak Broken by Blue

In the final game of a three game road trip, the Sioux Falls Skyforce came up short in a field trip edition 100-95 against the Oklahoma City Blue on Wednesday. The game was played in Wichita, Kansas which is about 160 miles from the home base.

It took a while for the Skyforce (22-18) to shake loose as they fell behind by 19 midway through in the second quarter. Shooting under 30 percent in the first half from the field contributed to a deficit of 12 at intermission which could have been larger if not for shooting 9 of 10 from the line in that stanza. By game's end connections were easier and the 'Force shot 38 percent for the game.

Oklahoma City (21-20) managed to keep a safe distance until about 6 minutes left. As in similar fashion on Monday in the Skyforce game against the Clippers a double digit lead was cut to one in the final minute. The general trend was the same, as the hunted was not overtaken and a five point margin ruled the day as the ‘Force came up short.

Derrick Jones, Jr. was the bellwether for the Sioux Falls attack hitting 4 long ones and 6 of 8 from the stripe to finish with 22 points. Matt Williams, Jr. helped key the comeback hitting 3 from deep in quarter four and scored 15 overall. Derrick Walton, Jr. was solid throughout on the way to 19 points and 6 assists.

Rashawn Thomas logged 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Blue and 16 points apiece came from Daniel Hamilton 16 and Bryce Alford. Off the bench Javan Felix scored 19.

The race for the division lead now tightens to a game and a half separation after the OKC Blue win. It also snapped two streaks a four-game losing streak and a six-game winning streak. Both teams will hit the court on Friday as Sioux Falls gets a home date with the Greensboro Swarm and the Blue will head to Santa Cruz.